What Are the Technology Trends in 2021?

There are several technology trends in 2021 that will help improve businesses in many different industries and a variety of ways. New technology innovations and older technologies being implemented in new ways will benefit many different business operations.

The Fifth Generation of Mobile Internet 

If you’ve ever wondered what 3G, 4G, or 5G meant, it refers to the generation or iteration of the particular cellular technology. 5G wireless stands for Fifth-generation wireless and is the first of the technology trends that will help improve business operations. 5G connectivity will bring large amounts of data faster than ever before. Increased speeds, increased capacity, and lower latency will improve all businesses. 

5G technology will also strengthen big data analytics giving companies who are incorporating a good data strategy more insight. It will help improve data-intensive applications. 5G will help advance artificial intelligent technology, automation, and provide better connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) connections.

5G technology will also make current connections faster for users. Websites will seem faster with the fifth-generation wireless technology improving customer interactions. Faster data transmission along with increased bandwidth and capacity will improve the way businesses and their users communicate with each other.

Utilizing Blockchain Technology to Boost User Trust

Blockchain technology is typically correlated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc., but there are potentially many different uses for blockchain technology that can be utilized by many businesses. Blockchain technology is a processing system and database that does the cryptographical keeping of records, provides enhanced security, and guarantees all transactions are recorded and authenticated.

This can be employed in several different ways for business use. Blockchain technology can be used to share records securely. Its cryptographical way of keeping records with enhanced security can give many industries that adhere to stringent confidentiality protocols a way to store and share records safely.

Blockchain technology can take a business’s supply chain management to the next level. A complex product could potentially have a variety of components from many different locations. Managing all of these different parts can be difficult. Even if your company isn’t dealing with components from too many different locations, utilizing blockchain can be beneficial. Since blockchain is effectively a decentralized ledger, it can be advantageous for tracking, contracts, and take secure payments.

Lastly, blockchain technology’s open and distributed ledger can help companies avoid fraud and reorganize and simplify a company’s accounting. The technology can make things easier for financial auditors. They can concentrate their time on finding irregularities in the ledger instead of tracking everything. The transparency that blockchain technology provides can be valuable for keeping track of businesses accounting.

Connecting to the Cloud with a Trusted Data Center Provider

Businesses are always looking for the best solutions to keep up with their competitors. A hybrid cloud combines the best of all the worlds and lets users decide what combination of solutions works for them. Hybrid cloud utilizes mixed computing, storage, and other services combining on-premises infrastructure, private cloud, and public cloud.

A hybrid cloud solution can give companies the ability to build a solution that works for them. It allows businesses to utilize power and connectivity with added flexibility. Businesses can store certain data on-premises and the rest on the cloud.

Connecting to the cloud with a data center provider can add even more benefits. A good data center provider will have the best technologies and security. A hybrid cloud solution along with a trusted data center provider will allow companies to scale up and down as the company grows and changes through its seasons.

Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS)

Many different technologies are now being offered “as-a-service”. This is no different with artificial intelligence. AIaaS gives users the ability to utilize and experiment with artificial intelligence for a variety of different purposes without the need to completely invest in an entire AI system.

AIaaS signifies the different off-the-shelf artificial intelligence tools that allow companies to apply AI technology without implementing an entire AI infrastructure. Many companies use many different forms of “as-a-service” tools. This can be done through the use of the software through networks and cloud computing.

One of the main uses of artificial intelligence is its application of algorithms. AI can help companies examine and analyze large amounts of data with little effort. Businesses can use this information to make their operations more efficient and productive. Many companies are already incorporating the use of AI in their operations. The International Data Corporation has estimated that the global usage of AI will increase from $50.1 billion in 2020 to over $110 billion in 2024.

Continued Use of Digital Workplaces and Virtual Offices

One of the aspects of business operations that has been a direct result of the global pandemic that started in 2020 that has made its way to 2021 is the use of digital workplaces and virtual offices. At one point, 71% of the labor force was working from home. Currently, about 57% of workers are still using digital workplaces and virtual offices full-time. And many employers are expecting that at the end of 2021, 2 in 5 employees will still be working remotely.

Businesses are finding it beneficial for their employees to work remotely. Saving on the overhead of office space, electricity, and other bills are making it advantageous for many companies to continue virtual offices. Studies have also shown remote workers are happier and more productive not being limited to a single office space.

Understanding how to secure remote workers against cybersecurity threats is vital. But many technologies can be beneficial in a digital workplace environment. As the world continues to make its way “back to normal”, virtual offices and a remote workplace is a trend we will continue to see in 2021 in the future. We will also see a rise in technologies that aid in this newfound workplace environment.

Conclusion

Several technology trends are important for 2021 and beyond. Artificial intelligence as a service will help businesses take advantage of the power of AI without the need of deploying an entire AI system. The fifth generation of wireless connectivity will be vital for the way the world is sharing information. Increased speeds, increased capacity, and lower latency will help improve many business operations. Businesses are also finding blockchain technology to have more uses than just cryptocurrency. Companies are using blockchain for storing records securely, managing the company’s supply chain, and managing financials. Many companies are also finding it helpful to connect to the cloud through a trusted data center provider for its many benefits. Lastly, we will continue to see digital workplaces and virtual offices. This will give a rise to new technologies that aid in these situations. The technology trends of 2021 focus on connectivity, efficiency, power, and convenience.